Virgin Australia recruitment
I love how after someone has a gripe or a whinge about a company someone always comes back with "sour grapes".
The hiring practices of some companies beggars belief and the way some people are treated is appalling. Sure some people come on hear and it is is sour grapes but judging by the amount of horror HR stories finding their way onto pprune I would say that it's a growing problem.
If Qlink/Rex etc guys and girls feel that the only way their career will progress is to go to the Middle East we have a problem.
When a HR person says no to a local pilot due to "motivation" but then turn around and say we have a pilot shortage shows massive flaws in the management of Australian air opertors
The hiring practices of some companies beggars belief and the way some people are treated is appalling. Sure some people come on hear and it is is sour grapes but judging by the amount of horror HR stories finding their way onto pprune I would say that it's a growing problem.
If Qlink/Rex etc guys and girls feel that the only way their career will progress is to go to the Middle East we have a problem.
When a HR person says no to a local pilot due to "motivation" but then turn around and say we have a pilot shortage shows massive flaws in the management of Australian air opertors
What a load of HR crap.... when has HR ever been good for a company?
The irony being people are still getting yes from the 1st year University HR muppet, then leaving in the lead up to the training to take jobs elsewhere.. so HR can’t judge excrement about “motivation”....
The irony being people are still getting yes from the 1st year University HR muppet, then leaving in the lead up to the training to take jobs elsewhere.. so HR can’t judge excrement about “motivation”....
Heard a story (factual) of Australian trained pilot went overseas and got a big jet F/O job. Returned several years later for an interview with one of the domestic airlines. Interview board was one HR lady and a company pilot. On being introduced, both pilots looked at each other and realised they had learned to fly at the same flying school. To the concern of the interview board pilot, the other guy shook his hand vigorously and gave him a big bear hug with a "Gooday Maaate - haven't seen you for yonks - how yer been?"
Not exactly the way to impress an interview board one would think.. They weren't and the result showed that.
Not exactly the way to impress an interview board one would think.. They weren't and the result showed that.
Sure that was inappropriate but what is your point?
A very good friend of mine had her interview resheduled 3 times and by the time she finally got there was told she didn't meet the recency requirements, which she would have even by the second reschedule. This was on top of changing her flight 3 times which cost a fortune.
HR simply exist to serve themselves.
A very good friend of mine had her interview resheduled 3 times and by the time she finally got there was told she didn't meet the recency requirements, which she would have even by the second reschedule. This was on top of changing her flight 3 times which cost a fortune.
HR simply exist to serve themselves.
Last edited by pilotchute; 23rd May 2018 at 20:30.
bunghole, whilst 99% of our inner reactions would be the same as yours I think you should focus on the end goal whatever that may be. If in a years time you haven’t made a step toward that goal via other means (QF Etc) id advise you to reapply. 1000’s of pilots better than you and I get rejected all over the world every year for a variety of reasons. It’s not personal and even if you get the job it’s not like the employer is now your friend. It’s a workplace you give them your professional time and hey pay you. Just take it on the chin and rise above it like you would any failure during the career. If you’ve made it this far I’m sure you’ve seen a couple. HR are in charge of it and there’s no going back, play the game on the day.
Bereal I disagree, the only way for bunghole to show VA's (admittedly terrible) HR department the errors of their ways is to boycott. They'll come crawling back in no time, probably with a 777 Technical Pilot position offer! That'll show em!
Bunghole, stay strong! Don't reapply. The system will crumble in no time! In no way is that attitude cutting off your nose despite your face while throwing a baby out with a bathtub full of mixed metaphors!
The only alternative I can see is treating the recruitment process as a silly and annoying hurdle you have to jump over just the once to get to a flight deck office with roughly 1,564 mostly very god colleagues flying safe aeroplanes in Australia. But what would I know.
Bunghole, stay strong! Don't reapply. The system will crumble in no time! In no way is that attitude cutting off your nose despite your face while throwing a baby out with a bathtub full of mixed metaphors!
The only alternative I can see is treating the recruitment process as a silly and annoying hurdle you have to jump over just the once to get to a flight deck office with roughly 1,564 mostly very god colleagues flying safe aeroplanes in Australia. But what would I know.
Richard Branson was once told about a cleaner that worked for Virgin Trains and the exceptional job she did. Branson met her in person and asked why she hadn't applied to be a customer service officer or conducter?
"I have applied" she said. I never get past the application stage.
Apparently after this meeting he called his head of HR and asked why he was rejecting good people!
So Goat Whisperer in response to your tongue in cheek comment, HR get it wrong far more often than they should.
"I have applied" she said. I never get past the application stage.
Apparently after this meeting he called his head of HR and asked why he was rejecting good people!
So Goat Whisperer in response to your tongue in cheek comment, HR get it wrong far more often than they should.
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Goat Whisperer. I was only putting up my experience in line with some of the previous posts to highlight that I don't particularly understand HR and the recruiting process not only at Virgin but all all Australian airlines. Motivation? It's not enough to study the process, take time off from your job, fly all over the country and pay for accommodation to go through said process. Is that not showing that you are motivated? I suspect they have plenty of candidates to choose from so I'm no great loss and not for a minute suggesting I was. I simply don't get how you can apply for a job as a PILOT fly a sim to a reasonable standard, meet all the pre-requisites and because they don't particularly like a response to a HR type question, out you go. Back to my point common sense is non existent and I'm sure it has something to do with HR justifying their very existence. What happened to a pilot sitting opposite you to see if you were a good guy/gal, throwing you in the sim to see if you could actually do what you said you could and off you go? But so be it. Not disgruntled just a little dumbfounded and probably dumb to some degree. Will try again with another carrier. Each time I become more HR aware which can't be a bad thing.
Last edited by bunghole; 24th May 2018 at 10:01. Reason: Spelling
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I’m sure something will come up for you bunghole and you won’t look back.
From what i’ve personally witnessed over the last 12-18 months is that it’s not the best candidates getting the job, but the person who interviews the best. I understand the interview is all HR really have to go off, but geez, surely someone on recruitment day can see a possible good pilot/employee when they’re sitting in front of them.
Some absolute terrible pilots have moved into the qantas group over the last 2 years. Some couldn’t hold a ga job for more than 6 months due their attitude/work ethic.
They pay their 250 bucks for pinstripe interview prep and are a completely false person on the day, i’m sure they’ll be found out sooner or later.
From what i’ve personally witnessed over the last 12-18 months is that it’s not the best candidates getting the job, but the person who interviews the best. I understand the interview is all HR really have to go off, but geez, surely someone on recruitment day can see a possible good pilot/employee when they’re sitting in front of them.
Some absolute terrible pilots have moved into the qantas group over the last 2 years. Some couldn’t hold a ga job for more than 6 months due their attitude/work ethic.
They pay their 250 bucks for pinstripe interview prep and are a completely false person on the day, i’m sure they’ll be found out sooner or later.
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I got a call a while back from HR at Virgin offering some feed back from my interview which I was very appreciative of.......... HR - You're not successful at this time as we were not sure on your motivation to work for Virgin. Me - But you asked me in the interview whether I would take a job with Tiger or Virgin so it seems a little strange that you would question my motivation to work for Virgin alone. HR- Ummmmmmmmm. HR - On a positive note you're sim was above average. Me- Great so I've demonstrated I have the ability to learn to fly the aircraft, so should be suitable for employment as an FO? HR - Well no. And also you need to learn more about our company and our aircraft types, numbers etc. Me - I know those and you didn't ask me a single question on any of the aforementioned topics. HR - Hmmmmmmmmmm. You can re-apply in 12 months. Me - Thank you kindly for the feedback.
I won't be applying again.
I won't be applying again.
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No Pilot Shortage in Oz
Unfortunately that comment is very true.
Qualified applications for pilot positions at the major jet airlines in Australia continue to be over-subscribed. While there remains more bums than seats, airline HR departments can continue to spin the vital importance of their worth to the organisation. Psychometric tests and behavioural interviews are very blunt instruments.
Wouldn't it be great one day to see the pilot shortage come to our tiny (cess)pond. Being wined, dined and wooed by HR 'professionals' from several companies with perhaps even large sign-on bonuses and other inducements. Yes, dreaming I know!
Maybe try getting some interview prep coaching...and best of luck next time.
PG
Qualified applications for pilot positions at the major jet airlines in Australia continue to be over-subscribed. While there remains more bums than seats, airline HR departments can continue to spin the vital importance of their worth to the organisation. Psychometric tests and behavioural interviews are very blunt instruments.
Wouldn't it be great one day to see the pilot shortage come to our tiny (cess)pond. Being wined, dined and wooed by HR 'professionals' from several companies with perhaps even large sign-on bonuses and other inducements. Yes, dreaming I know!
Maybe try getting some interview prep coaching...and best of luck next time.
PG
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The airline interview process is a test of your abilities to perform your job while under bureaucratic stressors in a manner not likely to distress passengers or other staff members. HR fill a certain role and your ability to endure them proves your suitability
No worries Goat Whisperer, I guess we have a different approach. I don't think they will come crawling back as major airlines have no shortage of people applying to them unlike the regionals. This could leave bunghole empty handed and unable to progress his/her career. Having received a rejection from a major once before I totally understand the feeling. I think its easier to play the game sometimes to have a lower stress level and achieve what you are after. Before you know it, it will be a distant memory.
A bit like security screening, we will never change it so just go along with it and save your sweat for bigger fish. Anyway thats just my take. Best of luck bunghole.
A bit like security screening, we will never change it so just go along with it and save your sweat for bigger fish. Anyway thats just my take. Best of luck bunghole.
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Absolutely nothing. Don’t know the total number of people sitting on the hold file but know at least 30 that are waiting on QF starts or going through the process. Others are looking at JQ and overseas.
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I may have this wrong but are you saying you know 30 people on the Virgin hold file who are also waiting on starts with Qantas?
"Grass is Greener" Syndrome?
Certainly, in the last 15 years, there has been at least one Virgin pilot join Qantas, reassess the reality, and return to Virgin at the bottom of the list again. I'm not saying the decision was taken lightly, but perception can be misleading.😕😉